Semiconductor switch control device

Abstract

A semiconductor switch control device includes a first FET and a second FET arranged adjacent to each other, in which source terminals are connected in series. A drain terminal of the first FET is connected to a high voltage battery, and a drain terminal of the second FET is connected to a high voltage load. A controller determines a temperature state of a minus-side main relay including the second FET based on a forward voltage of a body diode of the first FET.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A semiconductor switch control device comprising:
 a semiconductor switch module provided between a power supply and a load and configured to conduct or block a current flowing between the power supply and the load; 
 a precharge circuit that controls the semiconductor switch module, and allows a constant precharge current to flow and prevents an inrush current; and 
 a controller configured to control the semiconductor switch module, wherein 
 the semiconductor switch module includes
 a forward switch having a body diode arranged in a forward direction which is a direction in which the current flows, and 
 a backward switch arranged adjacent to the forward switch and having a body diode arranged in a direction opposite to the direction in which the current flows, 
 
 in the forward switch and the backward switch, each of which includes a source terminal and a drain terminal, the source terminals are connected in series to each other, one drain terminal is connected to the power supply and the other drain terminal is connected to the load, or the drain terminals are connected in series to each other, one source terminal is connected to the power supply and the other source terminal is connected to the load, 
 the precharge circuit applies a precharge voltage to the backward switch to allow a constant precharge current to flow, the precharge voltage is smaller than a voltage after a diagnostic period for diagnosing abnormality of the semiconductor switch module, and 
 in a case where precharge control is performed by the precharge circuit, the controller determines an overheating of the semiconductor switch module from a forward voltage of the body diode of the forward switch and a threshold value that determines a temperature of the body diode of the forward switch. 
 
     
     
       2. The semiconductor switch control device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller determines the temperature state of the semiconductor switch module from a temperature of the body diode of the forward switch obtained based on the forward voltage of the body diode of the forward switch and the current flowing in the forward switch. 
 
     
     
       3. The semiconductor switch control device according to  claim 2  wherein
 in a case where the forward voltage of the body diode of the forward switch is out of a range of a reference voltage which is a reference of the forward voltage before determining the temperature state of the semiconductor switch module, the controller determines that the forward switch has a failure and turns off the backward switch to block the current. 
 
     
     
       4. The semiconductor switch control device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in a case where the forward voltage of the body diode of the forward switch is out of a range of a reference voltage which is a reference of the forward voltage before determining the temperature state of the semiconductor switch module, the controller determines that the forward switch has a failure and turns off the backward switch to block the current.